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Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and your tax return reconciliation
If you purchased insurance through the Health Connector in 2025, you may have been eligible for a Premium Tax Credit to help you pay for your health insurance premiums. (IRS Form 8962 will help you figure out if you were eligible.)
When you enrolled for your health coverage, you may have chosen to:
- Get the money from the Premium Tax Credit during the year.
If so, an amount was sent directly to your health insurance company, lowering your monthly premium cost. The amount is also known as an advance on the Premium Tax Credit, or Advance Premium Tax Credit.
OR - Get the money with your tax return.
You may get additional money when you file your return through the Premium Tax Credit.
Regardless of which choice you made, Form 8962 will be used to figure out how much of the credit you will get or even may have to pay back.
When would you have to pay some of tax credit back when you file your tax return?
If you received APTC to lower your monthly premium costs, that means you gave the Health Connector your best estimate of what your 2025 income would be when you signed up. (For many people, this could have been based on their 2024 income if they expected their income to be steady.) The APTC you qualified for in 2025 was based on that estimate.
When would you get more money back when you file your tax return?
If you received APTC to lower your monthly premium costs that means you gave the Health Connector your best estimate of what your 2025 income would be when you signed up. (For many people, this could have been based on your 2024 income if you expected your income to be about the same from the past year.) The APTC you qualified for in 2025 was based on that estimate.
What if I qualified for APTC when I signed up, but did not use it?
If you chose not to use APTC in 2025 to lower your monthly premium costs, then you will get the credit with your 2025 tax return based on your 2025 income. And it will increase your refund or reduce the amount you owe.
At a Glance:
- If you TOOK MORE advance payments of the premium tax credit than the actual credit you’re eligible for: You may need to pay the difference with your tax return.
- If you TOOK LESS advance payments of the premium tax credit than the actual credit you’re eligible for: You’ll get the difference as a credit on your tax return.
- If you DIDN’T TAKE ANY advance payments of the premium tax credit during 2025: When you complete Form 8962 you may find out that you qualify for a credit. If you do, you can claim it when you file your taxes.
For more information about the Premium Tax Credit:
How to Use Form 1095-A
If anyone in your household had a Health Connector or ConnectorCare plan in 2025, you should have received Form 1095-A, also called the Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. This form would have been made available on or around January 31, 2026, either online, by mail, or both.
Make sure you have Form 1095-A before filing your 2025 taxes. This document contains important details about the Health Connector plans your household had in 2025.
What’s on Form 1095-A and Why You Need It
Form 1095-A provides key details about any Health Connector plans your household had in 2025, including:
- Premiums paid
- Premium tax credits used
- The second lowest cost Silver plan (SLCSP)
You’ll use this information to complete Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) when filing your 2025 taxes. This helps you reconcile your premium tax credit, ensuring there’s no gap between the credit you used and what you qualify for.
If you didn’t use a premium tax credit, note this when filing your taxes.
For detailed instructions on Form 8962, refer to the guide on the IRS website.
How to Find Form 1095-A Online
Follow these steps to access your Form 1095-A online:
-
Sign in to your account
Go to your account homepage and log in. -
Go to the member portal
After logging in, click either:- The “Make Payment” button, or
- The menu link labeled “Health Connector Bills, Notices, and Tax Forms”.
-
Find your form
Once in the member portal, click “Tax Forms” from the menu. You’ll see your Form 1095-A available for download.
Tip: Make sure your browser’s pop-up blocker is either turned off or set to allow pop-ups from MAhealthconnector.org.
Check Your Form 1095-A for Accuracy
It’s essential to verify that all the information on your Form 1095-A is correct. Follow these steps:
-
Read the instructions
Check the back of the form for guidance. -
Review the details
Ensure your household and coverage information is accurate. If anything is incorrect, find out how to request a corrected form here. -
Double-check the SLCSP premium
Confirm that the details of the second lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) are accurate.
How to Confirm SLCSP Information
Look at Part III, Column B of your Form 1095-A, titled “Monthly Second Lowest Cost Silver Plan (SLCSP) Premium.” This section should show a value for every month someone in your household had a Health Connector or ConnectorCare plan.
The SLCSP premium might be incorrect if:
- Column B shows “0” or is blank for any month your household had coverage.
- You had household changes (like having a baby, moving, getting married or divorced, or losing a dependent) that weren’t reported to the Marketplace.
If this applies to you, use the tax tool to get the correct SLCSP premium for your household.
Use Your 1095-A to Reconcile Your Tax Credit
Once you confirm that your 1095-A and SLCSP premium details are accurate, use the form to complete Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) while filing your 2025 taxes.
This process ensures accuracy and helps adjust any discrepancies in the premium tax credit you received versus the amount you qualify for.
Did you file without a complete Form 8962 or rejected for a missing the Form?
Did you file your 2025 tax return electronically, but it was rejected for a missing Form 8962? You will need to complete Form 8962 or an explanation for why you’re missing the form, and attach it when you refile.